Sizzlin Sports NFL Power Rankings — Week 2: One Stat That Defines Every Team
Two weeks in, we found one statistic that tells the story of every team. Some are impressive. Some are concerning. And a few are downright disgusting.
BigSlickOrr
··15 min read
Two weeks of football.
That's nowhere near enough time to know exactly who these teams are.
But it's definitely enough time to start noticing some trends.
So we're doing this week's Sizzlin Sports NFL Power Rankings a little differently.
Instead of simply looking at records or telling you who won Sunday, we found one statistic that tells the story of every team through two weeks.
Some are impressive.
Some are concerning.
And a few are downright disgusting.
Let's get into it.
1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Record: 2-0
4.5 yards per attempt allowed and a 3.5% explosive-play rate allowed — both best in the NFL. Four interceptions.
Seattle's defense is terrifying. It doesn't matter who the QB is for this team
Opposing quarterbacks are averaging only 4.5 yards per attempt, and just 3.5% of plays against Seattle have been explosive, both the best marks in football.
They've also intercepted four passes.
That's what makes this defense so difficult to deal with. You're not getting easy completions. You're not getting explosive plays. And eventually, Seattle is going to take the football away from you.
The defending champs might not have the league's flashiest offense right now.
They might not need one.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Record: 2-0
Zero sacks allowed, best passing offense by EPA and touchdowns on 7 of 8 red-zone trips.
The 49ers have played two NFL games and Brock Purdy has not been sacked once.
That's ridiculous.
It also helps explain why San Francisco currently owns the best passing offense in football by EPA.
Give Purdy time with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Kyle Shanahan designing the offense, and bad things are going to happen to defenses.
San Francisco has also scored touchdowns on seven of eight red-zone trips.
Protect the quarterback. Move the football efficiently. Finish drives with touchdowns.
Pretty simple formula.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Record: 2-0
Touchdown on 50% of drives — best in the NFL. 38.5 points per game.
Buffalo isn't just scoring.
They're basically flipping a coin every time they get the football to determine whether the drive ends in the end zone.
The Bills are averaging 38.5 points per game, and an absurd 50% of their offensive possessions have resulted in touchdowns.
Josh Allen has been the engine behind it, and Buffalo's offense currently feels like it's playing with a margin for error nobody else has.
The defense can give up 31 to Detroit and it doesn't matter when the offense is operating like this.
4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Record: 2-0
193 yards after catch per game — most in the NFL — on a 5.3-yard average target depth.
Kansas City might have found another way to make Patrick Mahomes annoying.
The Chiefs are averaging an NFL-best 193 yards after the catch per game despite an average target depth of only 5.3 yards.
Translation?
Mahomes doesn't need to launch the football 40 yards downfield.
Get it into somebody's hands. Let them work. And watch five yards turn into 15.
Kansas City's offense has become incredibly efficient underneath, forcing defenses to tackle over and over again.
Good luck doing that for four quarters.
5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Record: 2-0
No-huddle on 16.3% of snaps — most in the NFL.
Philadelphia wants to dictate the pace.
The Eagles have operated without a huddle on 16.3% of their offensive snaps, the highest rate in football.
That's not just about playing fast.
It's about trapping defenses on the field, preventing substitutions and allowing Jalen Hurts to diagnose the same personnel before the defense can reset.
The Eagles haven't looked dominant through two weeks.
But they're 2-0.
And they're clearly trying to find another offensive advantage.
6. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Record: 1-1
48.5 yards after catch per game — fewest in the NFL — with the second-deepest average target depth.
Jacksonville wants everything downfield.
The Jaguars have generated only 48.5 yards after the catch per game, the fewest in football, while simultaneously carrying the second-deepest average target depth in the league.
That's a pretty clear identity.
Trevor Lawrence isn't living on five-yard throws and hoping his receivers turn them into 20.
Jacksonville wants explosives.
The downside?
When the deep game isn't connecting—as Denver showed—you need another answer.
7. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Record: 1-1
10.4 yards per attempt and a 10.9-yard average depth of target — both best in the NFL.
Baltimore might have lost to New Orleans, but the Ravens' passing attack has been absolutely ridiculous.
They're averaging 10.4 yards per attempt, best in football, while carrying an NFL-high 10.9-yard average depth of target.
That's not dink-and-dunk efficiency.
Baltimore is pushing the football downfield and connecting.
Lamar Jackson has an explosive passing offense around him.
The problem against New Orleans wasn't Baltimore's ceiling.
It was finishing the game.
8. DETROIT LIONS
Record: 1-1
Touchdowns on 7 of 8 red-zone trips, while allowing 35.5 points per game — second most.
Detroit's offense isn't the issue.
The Lions have reached the red zone eight times and scored touchdowns on seven of those possessions, tied for the best rate in football.
When Detroit gets close, Detroit finishes.
Unfortunately...
They're also allowing 35.5 points per game, second most in the NFL.
So we have discovered the 2026 Lions formula:
Score a touchdown.
Allow a touchdown.
Repeat until somebody runs out of time.
9. LOS ANGELES RAMS
Record: 1-1
13.4% explosive-play rate — second in the NFL — with Puka Nacua out for one game.
Los Angeles has generated an explosive play on 13.4% of its offensive snaps, second best in football.
And remember:
Puka Nacua missed one of those games.
The Rams looked awful against San Francisco and significantly better Monday night against New York.
The larger takeaway is that this offense still has the ability to create chunk plays at an elite rate.
If Puka gets healthy?
Look out.
10. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Record: 2-0
QB hit on 29.8% of opposing dropbacks — most in the NFL. Just 20 penalty yards per game — fewest.
Brian Flores is having fun.
Minnesota has hit opposing quarterbacks on 29.8% of their dropbacks, the highest rate in football.
Basically one out of every three times you drop back against Minnesota, somebody is introducing himself to your quarterback.
But here's the sneaky impressive number:
Minnesota is averaging only 20 penalty yards per game, also best in the league.
Aggressive without being reckless.
That's a dangerous combination.
11. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Record: 1-1
8 points allowed per game — fewest in the NFL. Opponents have yet to score a red-zone touchdown.
Apparently scoring on New England is optional.
The Patriots are allowing only eight points per game, the best mark in football.
Even crazier?
Opponents have yet to score a touchdown against New England in the red zone.
Zero.
You can move the football. You can get close.
Then the door slams shut.
Now the offense has to hold up its end of the bargain.
12. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Record: 2-0
Best defense in the NFL by EPA per play. Eight sacks and 2.5 takeaways per game.
Okay.
Maybe we need to start taking the Raiders seriously.
Las Vegas currently owns the best defense in the NFL by EPA per play.
They've also produced eight sacks and are forcing 2.5 turnovers per game.
That's not fluky.
That's pressure plus takeaways plus down-to-down efficiency.
The Raiders aren't 2-0 because they got lucky.
They're 2-0 because through two weeks, their defense has been legitimately elite.
DAHHH RAIDAHS.
13. CHICAGO BEARS
Record: 1-1
6.07 yards per carry and six rushing touchdowns — both best in the NFL.
Apparently Chicago has decided passing is optional.
The Bears are averaging 6.07 yards per rushing attempt and have already scored six rushing touchdowns.
Both lead the NFL.
That makes what happened against Minnesota even more confusing.
This team scored 59 points in Week 1 and possesses the most productive rushing attack in football through two weeks.
Then somehow scored three.
The talent is obvious.
The consistency isn't.
14. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Record: 2-0
Second-best defense in the NFL by EPA. Tied for the league lead with eight sacks.
Uh-oh.
Joe Burrow might have a defense.
Cincinnati currently owns the second-best defense in football by EPA per play and is tied for the league lead with eight sacks.
That's potentially the biggest development in the AFC.
For years, the Bengals' path to victory often required Burrow and the offense to simply outscore everybody.
If Cincinnati can consistently pressure quarterbacks and create negative plays?
This team becomes significantly more dangerous.
15. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Record: 1-1
115.5 penalty yards per game — most in the NFL. 19% on third down — worst. Run defense allows 3.05 yards per carry — best.
Green Bay is trying to beat two teams every Sunday.
The opponent.
And itself.
The Packers are averaging an unbelievable 115.5 penalty yards per game, the most in football, while converting only 19% of third downs, the worst rate in the league.
And somehow they're 1-1.
The frustrating part?
Their run defense is allowing only 3.05 yards per carry, best in football.
There's a really good football team buried underneath all these mistakes.
Maybe stop committing penalties long enough to find it.
16. DENVER BRONCOS
Record: 1-1
Allowing +0.24 EPA per rush — worst in the NFL — and still finding ways to win.
This one surprised me.
Denver has one of the most respected defenses in football.
Yet through two games, the Broncos are allowing +0.24 EPA per rushing attempt, the worst mark in the league.
And somehow they're still 1-1.
That isn't sustainable.
Denver has enough talent defensively to correct it, but teams are going to keep attacking the ground game until the Broncos prove they can stop it.
17. HOUSTON TEXANS
Record: 0-2
74.5 offensive plays per game and 74.5% shotgun usage — both most in the NFL.
Nobody has run more offensive plays than Houston.
Nobody uses shotgun more either.
The Texans are averaging 74.5 plays per game and operating from shotgun on 74.5% of their snaps, both league highs.
And they're 0-2.
That's the problem.
Volume without production doesn't mean anything.
Houston is possessing the football.
They're running plays.
They're just not turning enough of them into points.
18. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Record: 1-1
Three takeaways per game — most in the NFL — while allowing 6.3 yards per carry — worst.
Carolina's defense makes absolutely no sense.
The Panthers are forcing three turnovers per game, the highest rate in football.
Awesome.
They're also allowing 6.3 yards per rushing attempt, the worst rate in football.
Not awesome.
That basically means Carolina's defensive strategy is:
Let you run directly through us and hope you eventually hand us the football.
It worked against Atlanta.
I'm not sure that's a long-term strategy.
19. DALLAS COWBOYS
Record: 1-1
68% on third down — best in the NFL. 71% allowed — worst. Just three punts all season.
Dallas games are apparently allergic to fourth down.
The Cowboys have converted 68% of their third downs, the highest rate in football.
They've punted only three times all season.
That's incredible.
Unfortunately, Dallas' defense is allowing opponents to convert 71% of their third downs, the worst rate in football.
So basically:
Dallas doesn't leave the field on third down.
Neither does the other team.
No wonder these games are entertaining.
20. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Record: 1-1
3.08 yards per carry — worst in the NFL — but 74 offensive plays per game, second most.
The Saints cannot run the football.
Like...
At all.
New Orleans is averaging only 3.08 yards per carry, worst in the league.
Yet they're running 74 offensive plays per game, second most.
That's interesting because it tells you New Orleans has still been able to sustain possessions despite getting almost nothing from the ground game.
If the rushing attack ever catches up?
This offense could become sneaky dangerous.
21. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Record: 1-1
5.2% explosive-play rate — 31st. Half of all drives end in a punt.
Arizona isn't creating anything.
The Cardinals have generated an explosive play on only 5.2% of their snaps, 31st in the NFL.
And 50% of their offensive possessions have ended with a punt.
Half.
That explains the seven-point performance against Seattle.
Arizona needs somebody—anybody—to create explosive offense.
Otherwise every drive feels like a slow march toward the punter.
22. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Record: 1-1
12 punts — most in the NFL. 5.0 yards per attempt — worst. Best pass defense by EPA.
Welcome to Steelers football.
Pittsburgh has punted 12 times, more than any team in the NFL, while averaging only 5.0 yards per passing attempt, also worst in the league.
That's disgusting.
But here's the reason they're not lower:
Pittsburgh currently owns the best pass defense in football by EPA.
So every Steelers game might follow the same formula.
Offense does nothing.
Defense saves them.
Everyone gets angry.
Repeat.
23. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Record: 0-2
Allowing 37 points per game and 9.9 yards per passing attempt — both worst in the NFL.
The offense isn't why Indianapolis is 0-2.
The Colts are allowing 37 points per game, worst in football.
They're also surrendering 9.9 yards per passing attempt.
Also worst in football.
That's brutal.
Indianapolis scored 30 points in Kansas City and still lost.
At some point the defense has to participate.
24. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Record: 0-2
-0.42 EPA per carry — 31st — while allowing only 3.1 yards per carry, second best.
The Chargers can't run the football.
They're producing -0.42 EPA per rushing attempt, second worst in the NFL.
Meanwhile?
Their defense is allowing only 3.1 yards per carry, second best.
That's a bizarre combination.
The Chargers can stop you from running.
They just can't run themselves.
At 0-2, Justin Herbert needs some help.
25. NEW YORK JETS
Record: 1-1
4.7 yards per passing attempt allowed — second best. 23.8% third-down defense.
Don't sleep on this Jets defense.
New York is allowing only 4.7 yards per passing attempt, second best in football, and opponents have converted just 23.8% of their third downs.
That's winning defense.
Which is why blowing a 17-7 fourth-quarter lead against Green Bay hurts even more.
The Jets have a unit capable of keeping them in games.
Now they have to finish them.
26. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Record: 0-2
2.5 giveaways per game — tied for second most in the NFL.
Here's your Tampa problem.
They keep giving the football away.
The Buccaneers are averaging 2.5 turnovers per game, tied for second most in football.
Five giveaways in two games.
When you're losing close games, that's the first place you look.
Tampa doesn't need some massive schematic reinvention.
Protect the football.
That's a pretty good place to start.
27. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Record: 1-1
One touchdown on five red-zone trips — 31st in the NFL.
Cleveland's offense has a finishing problem.
The Browns have reached the red zone five times and scored only one touchdown, ranking 31st in red-zone efficiency.
That's how you turn potentially comfortable wins into stressful football games.
Cleveland found a way to beat Tampa.
But field goals aren't going to keep saving them.
Eventually, you need seven.
28. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Record: 0-2
20% of passes travel 20+ yards — highest rate in the NFL. Just a 1.4% sack rate allowed.
Washington isn't afraid to attack.
A league-high 20% of Commanders passes have traveled at least 20 yards downfield.
Even more impressive?
Washington has allowed a sack on only 1.4% of its dropbacks.
So the offensive line is providing time and the offense is aggressively pushing the football vertically.
The record says 0-2.
And now the Jayden Daniels injury becomes the much bigger concern.
Because there were actually some interesting things developing in this offense before he went down.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS
Record: 1-1
4.2% explosive-play rate — worst in the NFL. One defensive sack.
Monday night exposed the problem.
The Giants have produced explosive plays on only 4.2% of their offensive snaps, the lowest rate in football.
Defensively?
They've recorded one sack all season.
That's a terrible combination.
You aren't creating big plays on offense.
You aren't creating negative plays on defense.
That puts an enormous amount of pressure on New York to execute perfectly for long stretches.
That's difficult to sustain.
30. TENNESSEE TITANS
Record: 0-2
61% of drives end in a punt — most in the NFL — on just 50 offensive plays per game.
If you're wondering why Tennessee is 0-2...
Here's your answer.
Sixty-one percent of Titans possessions end with the punter walking onto the field.
That's the highest rate in football.
They're also running only 50 offensive plays per game.
You can't score if you don't keep the football.
And you can't keep the football if almost two-thirds of your possessions end in punts.
The Titans showed improvement against Philadelphia.
There's still a long way to go.
31. ATLANTA FALCONS
Record: 0-2
8 points per game, five interceptions, 4.4-yard average pass depth and a completion rate 15.6 points below expected — all worst in the NFL.
Where do we start?
Atlanta is averaging eight points per game.
Worst in football.
The Falcons have thrown five interceptions.
Worst in football.
Their average pass travels only 4.4 yards downfield.
Worst in football.
And their completion percentage is 15.6 points below expectation.
Also worst in football.
They're throwing short passes.
They're not completing them.
And when they do throw the football, they're throwing it to the other team way too often.
That's almost impressive.
32. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Record: 0-2
The only defense in the NFL without a sack. QB hit on just 7.7% of dropbacks.
Someone has to be last.
Miami is the only defense in football that hasn't recorded a sack.
Not one.
The Dolphins are also hitting opposing quarterbacks on only 7.7% of dropbacks.
That's the bigger issue.
It's not like they're constantly getting close and quarterbacks are barely escaping.
Miami simply isn't affecting the quarterback.
And when you combine that with an 0-2 record and a defense that just allowed San Francisco to score touchdowns on its first five possessions?
There's nowhere else to put them.
Welcome to the basement.
SIZZLIN SPORTS TOP 10
1. Seattle Seahawks — 2-0
2. San Francisco 49ers — 2-0
3. Buffalo Bills — 2-0
4. Kansas City Chiefs — 2-0
5. Philadelphia Eagles — 2-0
6. Jacksonville Jaguars — 1-1
7. Baltimore Ravens — 1-1
8. Detroit Lions — 1-1
9. Los Angeles Rams — 1-1
10. Minnesota Vikings — 2-0
FINAL THOUGHT
Two weeks isn't enough to tell us who is going to win the Super Bowl.
But it's enough to start discovering identities.
Seattle doesn't allow explosive plays.
San Francisco doesn't allow anyone to touch Brock Purdy.
Buffalo scores touchdowns on half its possessions.
Kansas City lets its playmakers create after the catch.
Las Vegas suddenly owns the most efficient defense in football.
Then there's the other side.
Green Bay can't stop committing penalties.
Indianapolis can't stop the pass.
Miami can't touch the quarterback.
Tennessee can't stay on the field.
And Atlanta apparently can't do much of anything.
Some of these numbers will normalize.
Some will disappear entirely.
But some?
Some are telling us exactly what these teams are going to be in 2026.
We'll find out which ones soon enough.
Two weeks down. Sixteen to go.
— Kasey Orr
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